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Why outsourcing PLC programming is often more profitable than doing it in-house — The smart choice for industrial SMEs

  • Writer: Alex
    Alex
  • 4 hours ago
  • 2 min read

In a context where SMEs must produce faster, better, and with fewer resources, industrial automation has become a key driver of competitiveness. But when it comes to programming a Siemens, Schneider, Omron or Rockwell PLC, the same question always arises: is it better to keep the skill in-house or outsource it?


Based on feedback from many manufacturers, a clear trend emerges: outsourcing PLC programming is often far more profitable, especially for companies without a steady flow of automation projects.


Immediate cost reduction for SMEs

Hiring an experienced automation engineer brings:

  • a high annual salary,

  • significant employer charges,

  • continuous training costs (new PLCs, standards, tools),

  • downtime periods where the resource is underutilized.

Outsourcing, on the other hand, means:

  • paying only when you truly need it,

  • having full control over your budget,

  • eliminating fixed costs that weigh on your structure.

An SME can save between 30% and 45% by outsourcing PLC programming instead of hiring internally.


Instant access to cutting-edge, up-to-date expertise

PLC programming evolves quickly:new TIA Portal versions, EcoStruxure updates, Sysmac, network architectures, cybersecurity, MES integration…

An internal engineer must continuously train, which costs money and slows projects down.

An external expert:

  • already works on similar projects,

  • has multi-brand experience,

  • is operational immediately,

  • knows best practices to avoid mistakes and delays.

You benefit from a level of expertise that internal teams sometimes can’t reach, even with several engineers.


Faster commissioning and reduced downtime

SMEs often lack time and manpower.An external integrator brings:

  • a controlled schedule, without interruptions,

  • proven development methods,

  • smooth commissioning, without hidden costs,

  • reduced production downtime when deploying changes.

Result: your lines restart faster, with fewer risks.

Need a fast intervention? Contact Inomatex for responsive and SME-friendly support.


A flexible way to handle workload peaks

Automation needs are often irregular:

  • new equipment,

  • retrofits,

  • complex troubleshooting,

  • line extensions,

  • urgent commissioning.

Instead of hiring for a temporary need, outsourcing allows you to scale exactly to your project load.

You pay only when needed, without locking internal resources.


Lower risk, higher reliability

PLC programming is a domain where small errors can cause:

  • full production shutdowns,

  • material loss,

  • reduced performance,

  • machine safety issues.

An external expert brings rigorous methodology, advanced testing, and often a result commitment.


Better overall profitability for SMEs

Outsourcing improves profitability through:

  • lower direct costs,

  • higher reliability,

  • reduced downtime,

  • long-term machine performance optimization,

  • access to modern solutions otherwise hard to deploy internally.

For an SME, this means fast ROI and greater operational stability.


A smart strategic move for industrial SMEs

Outsourcing PLC programming is not a weakness. It is a strategic, pragmatic choice, focusing on results, speed, and cost control.

SMEs adopting this approach see:

  • better-controlled projects,

  • significant cost savings,

  • more stable production,

  • higher-quality automation.

Want to modernize your equipment or outsource automation projects? Inomatex supports SMEs with efficiency and transparency.



 
 
 

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